11M Pinoys in danger of contracting malaria, says DOH

(SPOT.ph) The Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday that 11 million Filipinos are in danger of contracting malaria, with 56 provinces still not malaria-free, reports ABS-CBN News. Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said Palawan, Tawi-Tawi and Zambales have the highest number of malaria cases.

He added that malaria has the same symptoms as dengue: fever, diarrhea, rashes and shivering. He said the disease could cause complications in the brain and kidney, which could be fatal.

Tayag said mosquitoes that carry the disease thrive in stagnant or slow-moving water sources, reports ABS-CBN News. He advised the public to use mosquito repellants and insecticide-treated mosquito nets, wear long-sleeved shirts or take oxycycline capsules when heading off to areas with high records of malaria cases.